Party goers enjoy the Holi Festival of Colours at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic park

The ancient Hindu festival of Holi has become a major event on the capital’s summer calendar and last weekend it was the turn of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to be painted all the colours of the rainbow.

Ticket-holders’ white clothes were soon dashed with green, blue, yellow and purple powder paint – none more so than newly weds Jamie and Agi Inzani who came straight from their big day, with beautician Agi still in her white wedding dress.

Groom Jamie, 32, said the loved-up pair decided to tie-the-knot knowing the festival was happening.

“We knew this was coming so we decided to get married today and come down here,” added the accountant, who wed his 28-year-old bride in Dulwich earlier in the day.

Party goers enjoy the Holi Festival of Colours at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic park

“She came last year and loved it and we decided to come down here especially and get the dress messed up and coloured – I guess it’s the first stage of our honeymoon.”

While it might have been more washout than watercolour, revellers were determined to make the most of the festival which in the Hindu tradition celebrates the victory of good over bad.

Teachers Victoria Parrish, 26, from Chislehurst, Bromley, said: “We’re having the best time and we’re embracing the rain – its like a nice little added extra.

Hindu Yash Harish, 24, from Ilford, added: “This is the first time I have ever celebrated Holi and it was great – the rain didn’t hinder us.”

“Where to go for a drink near Great Portland Street?” was previously met with blank expressions and shrugs for those local to the area, not anymore, thanks to the opening of The Refinery at Regent’s Place, the eighth bar and restaurant from hugely-successful group Drake & Morgan.